Now, this little island we call Key West, is more than just a party! This 126-mile drive from Miami that skips across an archipelago of 1,700-plus keys, islets and islands; vistas of breathtaking blue water, crossing from more than 40 bridge and osprey’s-eye view of coral reefs and tidal flats. Toss in kayaks, conch fritters, quirky diners, secret hot spots, unique characters and opulent hotels, and we can only be in one place—the Key West, Florida! For many Florida Keys weekend visitors or day road-trippers, there are quite a few questions that arise; Where’s the beach? Who has the best Rum Runner or Key Lime Pie? Where do the locals hang out? Where do I go for dinner? What watersport adventure do I choose? Well, here is a weekend plan that will make your trip to Key West fulfilling and leave you for wanting oh soooooo much more!With only one weekend and so much to do, we can help you narrow down the many choices to help ensure you have the BEST weekend in Key West EVER!
Only a Weekend in Key West? Here’s what you can’t miss!
The Do It All Key West Watersport Adventure
Love the water? Love to snorkel? Kayak? Ride a Banana Boat? How about NOT choosing which
one and do them ALL! If you love the water, then you must hit Sunset Watersport‘s Do It All Watersports adventure! A day of watersports all in one day – without breaking the bank! And the best thing is, you’ll have the memories of a lifetime! GO TO: Sunset Watersports Key West’s Site
Catch A Key West Sunset Sail
Going to Key West without seeing its legendary sunsets is like missing the Eiffel Tower on a trip to Paris. Sure, you can get plenty of pictures and time to ooh and aah at the Mallory Square Key West sunset celebration, but why not get up close and personal with a sunset sail? Watching the Key West sun slide gently below the horizon is a beautiful experience, especially with your friends, family or sweetie by your side. Visit: GO TO: Find A Key West Sunset Sail
Jetski Around the Island of Key West
Yes, you heard it! You flew in and saw the island. Now, you MUST ride around the island! If you think this is fun, then you must do the “Ultimate Island Tour” with Key West Water Tours. They have an exciting 26 mile tour around Key West and neighboring islands. They have very fun guides who are experienced and professional. There are so many great things about this trip with Key West Water Tours (the best tour on the Island, btw)… how to choose? The waters are always warm and inviting! See the wildlife, sunsets, dolphins, famous landmarks as you jetski around Key West on the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean in one trip! You will, for sure, have a great time! GO TO: Key West Water Tour’s Jetski Rental Page
Romantic Sunset Sail or a Party Booze Cruise
Going to Key West without seeing its legendary sunsets is like missing the Eiffel Tower on a trip to Paris. Sure, you can get plenty of pictures and time to ooh and aah at the Mallory Square sunset celebration, but why not get up close and personal with a sunset sail? Watching the Key West sun slide gently below the horizon is a beautiful experience, especially with your friends, family or sweetie by your side. Visit: GO TO: Find a Romantic Sail or Party Boat Sunset Sail in Key West
Catch a Key West Sunset at Mallory Square
One show you don’t want to miss is the famous nightly sunset celebration on the Key West
waterfront. As the sun dips low over the Gulf of Mexico, crowds fill Mallory Square, once the anchorage of Keys’ pirates. Today the wharf is a scuttle of vendors, jugglers, escape artists, gymnasts, psychics and magicians, each holding their own spellbound audiences – all for the price of an applause (or the much-more appreciated tip). GO TO: More Info about Key West Sunset Celebration
Go On a Day Fishing Trip
Whether you’re an expert at Key West fishing or you’ve never picked up a pole in your life, there are many fishing captains who can accommodate your fishing expertise (or lack thereof!). The fishing in Key West is so good, it’s a rare day that you don’t go out and actually catch something. The best thing is about it…you can take your catch to many local restaurants and they will cook your fish up (inexpensively!) for your dinner. Find your fishing captain here: GO TO: Find a Key West Fishing Charter
Ride the Famous Conch Tour Train
This classic sightseeing train has been around long enough to give Key West legend Ernest Hemingway a ride! It’s actually a motorized trolley on wheels rather than a train, and it will take you around to every major sight on the Island with an entertaining guided tour. It’s a great way to get a feel for the town, and to enjoy the sights without having to exert yourself. The staff is super friendly, and the company prides itself on an enjoyable ride – so much so, they offer a no-questions-asked, money back guarantee. You can also purchase a photo of you and your traveling companions on the train as a souvenir! GO TO: Find Key West Attractions
http://partyinkeywest.com/pages/keywestsightseeing.html
Full or Half Day Snorkel or Dive Trip
Want to hit the warm, tropical waters of Key West? See Dolphins? Catch one of our amazing for more information.
sunsets? Rent a boat? Booze Cruise? Snorkel? Dive? Parasail? Whatever your heart’s desire, Key West has everything you could possibly want to do on the water! Visit: http://partyinkeywest.com/key-west-things-to-do.html
Stroll Along the Famous Duval Street
Feeling like just taking in the scenery and laying low for the day? Well, take a stroll along the famous Duval Street is a definite must. Duval Street is to Key West what Bourbon Street is to New Orleans. In other words, it’s the center of all the action! This street stretches the width of the Island – from Gulf to ocean – and along it you will find a slew of bars, restaurants, shops and cafes. This is the ultimate Key West party experience, and as you stroll, you can stop every few feet to cool off at an outdoor bar with an ice cold frozen libation under refreshing water misters. FIND Things To Do in Key West 0n Duval Street
Key West Bars and Nightlife
And last, but never, ever least…we get to the party! After spending the day doing watersports,
enjoying the beach, or relaxing with a book by your hotel’s pool, it’s time to let your hair down and embrace the outrageousness of the Conch Republic’s capital that we call Key West! You can hit up the local favorite hot spots like Schooner’s Wharf, Conch Republic Seafood aka The Conch Farm, and the Half Shell Raw Bar and drink like a local. There are many favorite watering holes in Key West. If you ask Key West lover’s, every person has a favorite bar. A favorite bar (and must-stop) is the Smallest Bar in Key West…got to see how many people you can fit in at once…and then get that famous photo to brag!
For most people, though, Key West partying means hitting Old Town’s Duval Street, crowded big-name bars like Sloppy Joe’s, Hog’s Breath, the Bull & Whistle, Captain Tony’s, Willy T’s and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. If you can hit all of these famous bars in one night, it’s called the Duval Crawl! Get your crawl on! FIND Key West Bars
Resources for planning a Key West vacation:
Party in Key West – Online Key West guide for anything and everything to do in Key West, Florida.
Key West The Right Way
http://PartyInKeyWest.com Your Key West Destination Guide for where to stay, what to do, where to eat, and where the party is in Key West, Florida.
Breaking News: Dogs Love Key West!
Key West is very dog friendly!
Now, this little island we call Key West, is more than just a party! This 126-mile drive from Miami that skips across an archipelago of 1,700-plus keys, islets and islands; vistas of breathtaking blue water, crossing from more than 40 bridge and osprey’s-eye view of coral reefs and tidal flats. Toss in kayaks, conch fritters, quirky diners, secret hot spots, unique characters and opulent hotels, and we can only be in one place—the Key West, Florida! For many Florida Keys weekend visitors or day road-trippers, there are quite a few questions that arise; Where’s the beach? Who has the best Rum Runner or Key Lime Pie? Where do the locals hang out? Where do I go for dinner? What watersport adventure do I choose? Well, here is a weekend plan that will make your trip to Key West fulfilling and leave you for wanting oh soooooo much more! With only one weekend and so much to do, we can help you narrow down the many choices to help ensure you have the BEST weekend in Key West EVER!
Make sure your dog isn’t too big to fit comfortably under the seat.
Dog size is VERY important when deciding if you can bring him in-cabin on your flight. The airlines have strict regulations when it comes to the size of pet carriers. They must be able to fit underneath the seat in front of you comfortably in airline-approved pet carriers. Usually 14 lbs. is the largest allowed, but check with your airline. Each varies slightly.
Make sure your dog isn’t too big to fit comfortably under the seat.
Airlines have requirements. The last thing you want to do is make your reservation and get to the airport and not be able to go on vacation. While each airline varies slightly, most require the carrier to be 16-19 inches long and about 10 inches tall. Don’t try to make your pup fit in a carrier that is too small for him; it could stress him out. Think about it. Do you want to fly somewhere feeling like a wrapped burrito? Neither does your dog. Your dog carrier is now your personal carry-on, so you need to pack accordingly to fit your other carry-ons in the above stowaway area.
Is your dog mellow or high-strung? It makes a difference.
Your dog must be well-behaved. If your dog whines when you go on car rides, chances are he will on an airplane too. If your dog already is high-strung, it might not be worth it to take your dog on vacation with you (to both your dog and yourself). You can find a few suggestions here.
Be prepared and pack your dog’s necessities.
As we all know, flights do get delayed and you want to make sure your dog has enough food, water, bones, treats and toys. Plan ahead. Pack a portable water bowl to avoid your pup dehydrating during a long delay.
Call the airline to let them know you’re traveling with your furry friend.
This is an important step. A lot of airlines only allow a certain amount of pets on each flight. Most people don’t know this and then get surprised when they get to the airport and the pet limitation has been met on a flight. Take note, especially if you’re flying to California or Florida, where people are going on vacation a lot.
It costs to bring your dog on your flight.
Depending on the airline, your dog’s “seat” can cost $100-$250. Most people think that if you’re carrying your dog on your flight that it doesn’t cost. For those who are budgeting their travel, be sure to add this into your bottom line.
Get a copy of your dog’s health certificate.
Your dog cannot fly without a certificate of health from his/her vet. You have to prove that your dog is up to date on his/her vaccinations. You could also pick up something to aid in your pet relaxing on the flight, especially if it’s your pooch’s first time flying.
Carry Puppy Pee Pads.
Even the best trained dogs can have an accident when they are in an unfamiliar environment. I like to lay one at the bottom of the carrier and keep one out to take my dog to the restroom when traveling and there isn’t an approved doggy bathroom area.
Don’t feed your dog on the morning of travel.
Some dog experts also recommend taking away their water two hours before the flight. This will help avoid accidents coming from either end.
Exercise your dog before the flight.
It’s just a good idea to get your dog the extra exercise that he/she may not get the day of travel. It’s hard for them to be cooped up but an extra-long run or play the day before could be the key to a successful and stress-free trip.
Limit water while flying.
Carefully monitor your pup’s water intake on travel day. You don’t want his bladder uncomfortably full, nor do you want him/her to get dehydrated. If your dog likes ice, get some from the flight attendant to refresh your dog during long flights.
Pack a small blanket or a shirt that you’ve worn
A blanket or article of clothing with your scent can keep your dog warm and feeling safe in an otherwise stressful environment.
Your dog is supposed to stay in the carrier.
Traveling pups have to stay in their carriers except when going through security. Airport personnel strictly enforce this, so don’t let your dog out where it’s not allowed.
Search online ahead for pet stations so you can plan for potty stops.
Usually it is only a small patch of fake grass, but it’ll have to do. If your layover allows you enough time, make sure that your pup has the chance to go pee in between flights to ensure for an accident-free and comfortable trip.
Doggy Xanax (mentioned in #7)
Nobody wants to give their dog a sedative, but he could get nervous with all the commotion, especially if it’s his first trip (and you don’t know how he will react). Just remember that there’s a flip side to sedating your dog: breathing problems, lethargy the next day (or longer), etc. Note that you should never give your dog any medication that’s not approved and dosed by your vet.
Although, traveling with your pup can be stressful and expensive, with a takes a lot of careful planning, it can be fun experience (for both!). For those of us who don’t want to go on vacation without their dog (for whatever reason), traveling with your buddy is worth it. Especially taking your dog to the most-friendly dog-friendly place on earth; Key West! Imagine seeing your dog frolicking in the waves and enjoying the sunshine. Do your homework, prep your pup, and get ready to enjoy your dog-friendly Key West vacation.
FEATURED LISTING
FEATURED LISTING
